Editor’s note: Many are familiar with my daughter, Sara Arkell, also known as The Piano Gal. Sara has been called to serve in the New York Syracuse Mission and arrived safely in New York on September 28, 2021. This is a series on her weekly letters that we will be posting on the site for those who wish to follow along with her mission. Sara sent this letter on the morning of October 4th. You can read her previous emails here.
Hello family and friends!! I hope you all are having the most fabulous day!
Ready for an awesome story?! Even just this past month as a missionary, I see more and more everyday how God is in the tiny details!
So, before I left on my mission, when I was shopping for clothes, I really wanted a yellow dress. It’s a small thing but yellow makes me happy and I wanted something to wear on days when I needed a pick me up! (All you girls out there understand, right?)
I couldn’t find one anywhere for the life of me! I was bummed but it was okay. WELL, the day I got to our apartment in Auburn, guess what was hanging up in the closet? A yellow dress!! I asked my companion if it was hers and she said if wasn’t. Apparently a member had given it to her but it didn’t fit so she said, “You can have it if it fits you!” It literally still had the tags on and everything! It was my exact size and fit me perfectly!
It was such a tender mercy for me! I know God is looking out for me even in New York! It’s the little things y’all. Even just a simple yellow dress can show you God’s love! When you look for it, you’ll start to find evidence of His love EVERYWHERE.
This week I had my first day where I could honestly say I was feeling JOY as a real missionary. It was such an amazing feeling!! Adjusting is really hard because it’s a totally new way of life so I’ve felt really out of place as I’ve been trying to get into the groove of things. But this week was full of some joy which was a blessing!
There was a baptism yesterday for Brother Joe! He’s the funniest guy ever. It was cool to be at a convert baptism and I can’t wait for more of them! 2 sisters and I sang a musical number for the program and it was beautiful! I’ve been really sick all week so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to sing but it all worked out! We sang “Footsteps” from a youth album – it’s a beautiful song!!
The weather has been beautiful lately
We got ice cream this week, always the best idea. We found some swings at a playground so of course I had to swing, it’s one of my favorite things ever! It made me so happy! We met lots of cute kids as we were walking down streets! They’re so cute! It reminded me of my neighborhood back in Utah so it made me a ‘lil homesick!
Ice cream and swings!
We also went to the church to practice our musical number and ended up singing other songs, too. But we call it a “mission veil” because we can’t remember songs anymore that we listened to pre-mission, it’s the weirdest thing!! Also got New York pizza and the slice was huge! So delicious!
Don’t forget that God is in the details! He is SO aware of you, pause and take a look around for small miracles everyday. They’re there, I promise!!
Suzanne Day
Friday 28th of January 2022
What cute stories I also look for little miracles but I say “little blessings” I’ve had many they help me realize Heavenly Father is pleased with me following him and Jesus Christ. I’m thankful for this article thank you so much God bless you!
Carl
Friday 15th of October 2021
Sounds like a WONDERFUL week. You're an inspiration to me. Next time you get a big slice of New York pizza, be sure to take a picture. Continue to find joy in EVERYTHING! The scriptures tell us every good thing comes from God, so EACH and EVERY good thing that happens to you is a blessing from God--showing you his mercy and love for you.
Peggy
Wednesday 13th of October 2021
That's lovely to get the yellow dress when you stop looking for it God gave it anyway. Indeed there are little miracles all around. I had two this morning. I put my tithing aside and added a bit more for fast offering and then a bit more for missionary fund and then I thought humanitarian must need more by now and then of course temple construction came into my heart and so there wasn't much left for life. After writing it out with a grateful feeling for my Saviour and all He gives me, I cleaned out a couple of nooks in my desk and found an envelope where I had put tithing and forgotten where it was, and then when I counted my added tithing in offering envelope I found an extra $50.00 so now I had $250 I was not expecting so I put it in my temple bag ready for buying a plane ticket which I have been told through spiritual whisperings, will be next year for me. Trust in the Lord.
Peggy
Wednesday 13th of October 2021
@Peggy, Must add, Thank you for serving your mission.